A expanded duty dental assistant can acquire the needed skills directly on the job, but there is an increasing number of them who are trained in dental-assisting programs offered by community and junior colleges, technical institutes, trade schools, or the Armed Forces. Such programs include classroom, labs, and preclinical instruction in dental-assisting skills and related theory. On top of that, students obtain practical experience in dental schools, dental offices or clinics. The majority of those programs are no more than 1 year and the completion leads to a certificate or diploma. Two-year programs offered in community and junior colleges lead to an associate degree. All programs require a high school diploma or its equivalent, and some require science or computer-related courses for admission.
